LYNN – In a contest that noticed 27 lead modifications and 16 ties, it was solely becoming a shot within the ultimate seconds was the distinction maker.
Senior captain Yirsy Queliz hit the game-winning layup with seven seconds left to carry the Spartans to a 73-72 ladies basketball victory over Dracut at residence of their thirteenth Spartan Classic win.
“It was almost like every time (either team) took the lead that it was kind of like alright at what point are they going to take it back from us because it was just that kind of a game,” mentioned St. Mary’s (L) coach Jeff Newhall about each crew’s talents to battle. “I do think you saw a product of two teams that play in really good leagues and play good schedules. I didn’t see many people flustered in the final three minutes.”
Senior captain Kellyn Preira (17 factors) knocked down a 3 with 34.5 left to present the Spartans the twenty fifth lead change earlier than senior Brodie Gannon knocked down three enormous free throws with 16.3 ticks to place the Middies again in entrance 72-71. After a Spartans turnover and a pair of free throws missed for Dracut, eighth-grader Bella Owumi grabbed a board and handed it to Queliz for the driving layup by means of the paint. St. Mary’s performed simply sufficient protection to maintain the ultimate shot at bay.
Queliz was named a part of the All-Tournament squad with 15 factors within the contest, together with seven within the opening quarter that St. Mary’s (18-2) led 18-17.
“I saw the green light and I decided that I was just going to take it,” Queliz mentioned about her game-winning basket.
Dracut (16-5) muscled its option to a dominant second quarter as senior captain Ashlee Talbot put in 12 of her 21 first half factors in because the Middies regained management with a 32-28 benefit on the break.
The groups traded lead after lead and tie after tie within the second half with 12 ties and 20 lead modifications over the ultimate 16 minutes. Six ties and 13 of these lead modifications got here within the ultimate eight minutes.
“I think we all have a strong mindset for these kinds of games,” mentioned the event MVP Preira. “It isn’t our first rodeo. We kind of just know how to keep calm and make smart decisions.”
For Dracut (15-6), Talbot completed with 46 factors, together with 12 within the fourth quarter, to associate with six rebounds. Talbot was coming off a 45-point effort in a win over Newburyport.
In one other Spartan Classic bracket recreation, Pentucket used a 10-2 run to finish the third to construct a 35-25 benefit earlier than placing away Newton South 46-32.
“Our girls were very disciplined on defense,” mentioned Panthers coach John McNamara. “We kind of covered Tatum Murray all over the court and on Maddy Genser we switched all over the court. The kids executed really well.”
The protection pressured six of their 20 turnovers over the ultimate eight minutes to construct the double-digit benefit.
In a back-and-forth first half, when Pentucket (17-5) wanted an enormous bucket senior captain Abby Dube discovered a option to make it to the basket or knock down a triple.
“The senior captain stepped up and hit some big shots for us,” McNamara mentioned. “At times, (Newton South) started to make a little run and she hit some big-time shots.”
Dube led all scorers with 15 and none was greater than a three-pointer to make it a 35-23 lead late within the third to make it 10 straight factors for the Panthers. Senior captain Alyssa Thompson added 9 factors for Pentucket.
For Newton South (11-9), Genser, a senior captain, led with 9 factors as each groups now await their playoff seedings over the weekend.
Source: www.bostonherald.com